The power of the mind-body connection 🧠👋

I recently connected with Jennie Delreeve, a health practicioner who, alongside her partner Duncan, help women who have experienced trauma feel safe, strong, and confident in mind and body to reverse pelvic organ prolapse naturally and return to running, lifting, and high-impact sports! 

Duncan works with the body, and Jennie with the mind and emotional repatterning. 

Jennie was told that she would never heal three very severe prolapses by several medical professionals. She was also told to forget her active lifestyle. She always loved running, lifting, skiing, climbing, and playing with our kids. This was one of the lowest points of her life.

She thought she was beyond her past s*xual abuse trauma, but soon realized that although she was no longer in the trauma of the experience, the emotional patterns still remained.

She knew that if she moved out of a dominant emotional set point of vulnerability to a place of safety, she would no longer manifest the most vulnerable part of my body falling out!

She healed in 9 months and has never looked back. At age 49, she do CrossFit 4 times a week, ski, run, and jump.

I'm so glad to introduce you to this powerhouse team!


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RACHEL: What inspired you to start writing about/exploring this topic?

JENNIE: I have been a life coach, health practitioner, and law of attraction mentor since 2008, so when I got the prolapses, I was so shocked! "Why me?", I thought.

It seemed I was doing all the right things: healthy eating, meditation, gut cleanses, drinking water, and all the other stuff. However, I knew that instability in the mind = instability in the body.

I soon realized that the vulnerability pattern from s*xual abuse was still running wild in my life - fear of the dark, fear my kids would be abducted, fear I would be attacked when out running alone, and very low self-worth.

I have coined this the "vulnerability to defensiveness" cycle. I had experienced anger and rage my whole life, but I couldn't admit it because I was a "coach." As soon as I embraced my emotions authentically, allowed myself to feel them without judgment, and authentically processed the patterns, my body fully healed to the amazement of three urogynaecologist.

I celebrated by competing in a strong woman competition!


RACHEL: What key insights or lessons have you learned through your experiences with this subject?

JENNIE: You can do all the things, such as meditating, drinking water, and the list goes on, but you can never "out-act" emotional patterns.

They will eventually manifest in the physical body. Tension in the mind equals tension in the body. When you feel vulnerable, you will often manifest physical issues in the most vulnerable part of your body.

Allowing yourself to feel anger and using techniques to move it through the body is a gateway to better-feeling emotions.

Anger is a powerful and transformative emotion.


RACHEL: What challenges or misconceptions do you think people face when dealing with this topic, and how can they overcome them?

JENNIE: Most women have been told that pelvic organ prolapse is purely a physical issue and that it cannot be healed.

They are also told that even if they have surgery, the success rate is very low, and they will need subsequent surgeries.

This causes women to feel powerless and incapacitated.

The future looks bleak!

29 prolapses healed in the last year in our Unshakeable You program.

These are only the success stories we are allowed to share because we can only share the journeys of the women who received confirmation from a pelvic floor physical therapist or urogynecologist.

Women overcome this by dealing with the emotional patterns created by sexual trauma and inspirational stories of hope from other women who have healed.


RACHEL:  Are there any common myths or misunderstandings about this topic that you'd like to address?

JENNIE: That ligaments, fascia, and torn muscles can't heal.

That a prolapse is purely a hernia and can't heal.

We have physical protocols in our program, as well as emotional processes.

However, the human body is more than a meat suit.

We all have an energy field that attracts according to our emotional patterns.

As soon as you start to feel a little differently, you switch on the healing blueprint inside every cell in your body.

Fascia, ligaments, muscles, and tendons are intelligent.

A new reality can find you when your cells react to consciousness rather than negative thinking and feeling.

Many of the women in our program heal in 3-6 months.


RACHEL: What resources, tools, or next steps would you recommend for readers who want to dive deeper into this topic?

JENNIE: We have a website and YouTube channel where you can delve into our Blueprint and watch inspirational healing stories.

We also run a free weekly masterclass called "3 Secrets to Heal Your Prolapse." The masterclass is a live, interactive group masterclass with Jennie. We deep dive into the Unshakeable You Blueprint.


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I truly appreciate the perspective that Jennie and Duncan bring to this area of growth and healing that too often is not spoken about, and hope you find some encouragement and inspiration from their story!


To finding your path to healing!
Rachel

P.S. If you're ready to take the next step in healing from abuse and would like to explore enrolling in the Beyond Surviving program, start by applying for a Discover Your Genuine Self Session.'

RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

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UPCOMING EVENTS

LIVE ZOOM EVENT

Are you ready to put your fears of abandonment

behind you so you can have happy, healthy relationships?

The fear of abandonment is extremely common in those of us who have been abused. When it comes to abandonment, we are very much driven by a fear of the unknown. We do not know if the people we are connecting to may one day withdraw their protection or support.

"People always leave" can be a common inner belief we hold. Some of the behaviors that we fall into as survivors to try to avoid being abandoned can set us up for failure in our relationships.

Boy have I been there! And I can't wait to share with you what helped me put an end to this paralyzing fear.

By participating this master class, you will:

* Gain access to my proven process that will help you feel more confident and secure so you can have a romantic relationship that lasts

* Explore in a safe step-by-step way the destructive false beliefs you have about yourself and others that cause you to run away from relationships

* Identify the toxic behaviors that keep you trapped in a cycle of abandonment and fear and how to overcome them

* Learn practical, easy to use strategies for how to put an end to sabotaging all of your relationships

Learn More & Register Here

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in partnership with CPTSD Foundation

January 13th

HOPE


As survivors going through the healing process, it’s beyond difficult at times to have hope. We may not even want to hope because we don’t feel able to withstand any more hurts and disappointments. And yet hope is what keeps us from death and pulls us toward life. Without hope, we can’t heal.

Learn More & Register Here

Healing Childhood Trauma Through Psychedelic Therapy

I recently connected with Alex Abraham, an author with a powerful story about using psychedelic plant medicine to work through childhood trauma, and I wanted to share a bit of his story and approach to healing with you today.

As a child, Alex was s*xually assaulted by an authority figure. He blocked it out and lived for years with chronic physical symptoms. No treatment or therapy helped.. until he tried psychedelic therapy.

This opened the door to the feelings and emotions he had been suppressing, and to work through his trauma and begin to heal.

This is the first time that Alex has told his story, and he explores the power of psychedelic plant medicine as a tool for healing trauma and transforming mental health, showing perspective to alternative healing.

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RACHEL: What inspired you to start writing about/exploring this topic?

ALEX: My inspiration to start writing about this topic was my own story. As a young adult, I began having horrible pelvic floor problems. After trying many different modalities for years, I finally stumbled on MDMA assisted psychotherapy in an attempt to fix these physical issues. 

It quickly became clear that I had been badly s*xually abused as a child. Initially, I struggled with this revelation, but over time and through psychedelic medicine, breathwork, and other therapies, I have been able to move through my abuse.

Now, I feel compelled to share my story in hopes of helping others.  

RACHEL: What key insights or lessons have you learned through your experiences with this subject?

ALEX: A key lesson I have learned through my experience in healing from childhood s*xual abuse, is how much of my day-to-day reality is a choice. 

For example, I used to take things very personally. I saw any comment that wasn’t positive as a criticism and a personal attack.

But these days, I have a much better understanding that it is never personal. And that in the context of my abuse, it was not about me, but about my abuser. 

I was absolutely victimized as a child. But as an adult, I have chosen not to stay a victim (at least most of the time), and now see my abuse as a way for me to grow and evolve as a person (most of the time). 

I think there will always be challenges in life, but how I choose to perceive these challenges is important. 

RACHEL: What challenges or misconceptions do you think people face when dealing with this topic, and how can they overcome them?

ALEX: One challenge I have seen is that survivors often do not believe they can heal, or even that they deserve to heal. Being s*xually abused can lead to self-loathing and a lack of belief in one’s self. 

I really struggled with self-love and self-belief, until I started doing psychedelic medicine. Psychedelics helped me reevaluate and ultimately reset many of the default patterns I had established both about myself and my life. Now, I have a much better understanding of how to see through negative thought-patterns and limiting self-beliefs. 

RACHEL:  Are there any common myths or misunderstandings about this topic that you'd like to address?

ALEX: Unfortunately, a major misconception many seem to have about childhood s*xual abuse is that it is an uncommon occurrence. It is hard to get exact numbers, but some studies have shown that as many as 1 in 3 girls, and 1 in 6 boys are being s*xually abused as children. 

Another misconception is that the perpetrators of childhood s*xual abuse are often strangers. It is actually often a community member, a family member, or someone the child knows that perpetuates the abuse. 

I was unfortunately abused by a teacher at my elementary school. 

I believe having a better understanding of how common this behavior is can lead to greater awareness and more preventative measures to help children. 

RACHEL: What resources, tools, or next steps would you recommend for readers who want to dive deeper into this topic?

ALEX: Aside from my book, I would recommend the book A Dose of Hope by Dr. Dan Engle on Amazon. This book is a great introduction into psychedelic therapy, and how it can heal all kinds of trauma. 

Other resources I would recommend are holotropic breathwork, a journaling practice, and finding some sort of physical activity that can help survivors get back into their bodies. 

Many childhood s*xual abuse survivors are both physically and emotionally dissociated. I believe all the practices listed above can help survivors get in better touch with themselves, their emotions, and their body. 

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Alex has spent years researching, exploring, and experiencing firsthand therapeutic treatment options for healing from childhood s*xual abuse, and he is currently working on launching a non-profit called Psychedelic Pathways that helps people pay for psychedelic treatments.

I truly appreciate his perspective, and hope you find some encouragement and inspiration from his story!


To finding your path to healing!



P.S. If you're ready to take the next step in healing from abuse and would like to explore enrolling in the Beyond Surviving program, start by applying for a Discover Your Genuine Self Session.

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RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

Forget everything you think you know about psychedelics. They're not punchlines. They're not party favors for aging hippies. Instead, as Alex Abraham discovered, they are an innovative approach that can help heal trauma and chronic pain.

Trauma and Ecstasy takes a long, hard look at pain, from the sudden unexplained pelvic floor discomfort that afflicted Alex at the end of a trip abroad to the deeply rooted anxiety and shame of a childhood robbed of innocence. In this powerful and courageous memoir, Alex takes you on his journey of healing from sexual abuse while searching for answers to his health issues that traditional medicine failed to explain or treat.

Trauma and Ecstasy is quite likely the most engaging, honest, and compelling memoir of surviving childhood sexual trauma you'll ever read. It offers the hope of real help for healing from the emotional and physical aftermath of abuse and chronic pain.

Get your copy

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UPCOMING EVENTS

LIVE ZOOM EVENT

Get ready to level up your boundaries game during this live conversation where you'll learn powerful frameworks for setting and honoring your boundaries.

Learn More & Register Here

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in partnership with CPTSD Foundation

November 11th

FAMILY


As survivors of childhood abuse, family can be a continuous problem. In the same way that our families might have failed us as children, they so often fail us again as adults.

Learn More & Register Here

Are you comfortable in your body?

For many survivors of childhood s*xual abuse, the journey toward healing can be fraught with discomfort. The body often becomes a site of trauma, a vessel that holds memories and sensations tied to painful experiences. The complex relationship between the mind and body can make living in one’s skin feel like a challenge.

Yet, within this discomfort lies the potential for profound healing and self-discovery.

From the moment abuse occurs, the body begins to absorb the trauma. This can manifest in various ways—chronic pain, anxiety, dissociation, and a persistent sense of unease. Many people report feeling disconnected from their bodies, as if they exist in a state of constant tension, waiting for the next threat. The body becomes a reminder of the past, complicating the process of moving forward.

Recognizing this discomfort is the first step toward reclaiming one's physical self. It is essential to acknowledge the feelings that arise when faced with one’s body, whether they be fear, shame, or even anger. Understanding that these feelings are valid and rooted in lived experience can be empowering.

While the journey often begins with confronting pain, it is also essential to seek out and cultivate moments of pleasure. Pleasure can be a powerful antidote to trauma, reminding survivors that their bodies are capable of joy, connection, and intimacy. This could involve simple practices, such as:

Mindful Movement: Engaging in activities like yoga, dance, or tai chi can foster a sense of agency and connection to the body. These practices encourage awareness and presence, allowing you to reclaim your physicality in a safe environment.

Sensory Exploration: Engaging the senses through activities like cooking, gardening, or art can create positive associations with the body. Focusing on textures, tastes, and colors can help you reconnect with their physical selves in an enjoyable way.

Therapeutic Touch: For some, exploring non-sexual touch—such as massage or cuddling with a pet—can help to re-establish a sense of safety and comfort in their bodies. This can facilitate healing by allowing you to experience affection without fear or trauma.

The most important thing is to approach healing with compassion and patience.

You may encounter setbacks or days when discomfort overwhelms you. Acknowledging these moments as part of the journey is crucial.

The good news is - we can reclaim our bodies and...

• Learn to treat ourselves with kindness
• Develop a deeper awareness of bodily sensations
• Learn to differentiate between discomfort that signals danger and discomfort that signifies growth

Living in the body as a survivor of childhood s*xual abuse is undeniably complex. However, by exploring both discomfort and pleasure, we can carve out a path toward healing and foster a more profound connection to our bodies, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.

To feeling comfortable in your own skin!
Rachel

P.S. If you're ready to take the next step in healing from abuse and would like to explore enrolling in the Beyond Surviving program, start by applying for a Discover Your Genuine Self session.

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RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

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UPCOMING EVENTS

October 10th, 4:30p-6p PT / 7:30p-9p ET 

LIVE ZOOM EVENT

Join us for an empowering and supportive live Q&A session designed specifically for survivors of childhood trauma. This safe and compassionate space is dedicated to fostering healing, understanding, and growth so you can live your best damn life!

Learn More & Register Here

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in partnership with CPTSD Foundation

October 14th

LIVING IN OUR BODIES

As survivors of childhood sexual abuse, many of us find living in our bodies discomforting. Our abuse is taken in through our bodies and our bodies hold a record of our memories. We will explore the discomforts and pleasures, the way healing is related, and any lessons you've learned along the way for living in your body.

Learn More & Register Here

Did you have shitty parents?

 

Parent wounds are emotional injuries inflicted by our caregivers, often during our formative years. 

These wounds can manifest as feelings of inadequacy, neglect, or unmet needs, impacting our self-esteem and relationships well into adulthood. 

Healing from such wounds is a crucial step toward emotional well-being and personal growth. Here’s a guide to help navigate this complex journey toward restoration.

First, we begin to identify the relationships in our lives that are really broken or missing and acknowledge that a parent wound exists and its impact. 

This involves recognizing and accepting the impact this person’s behavior or absence has had on your emotional health. Reflect on specific instances or patterns that contributed to your wound. 

Explore how your parent wound influences your self-perception, relationships, and behavior. Notice patterns in your relationships, such as seeking validation or avoiding intimacy, which may be linked to unresolved issues with your parents.

Journaling can be a helpful tool in this process, allowing you to articulate your feelings and experiences.

Next, we want to notice how we are trying to fill that void with other people, as in “this person is going to take the place of that person.” 

So what I want to offer you today is that our goal needs to be instead, to acknowledge and be present to what the people in our lives are giving us, but to recognize that it's not going to fill any particular gap that's been left there by another person. 

So imagine it like this: 

You have like this father shaped space, and let's just say it's shaped like a triangle. Now your father maybe was an absent father or was an abuser, and so this space is not filled with the love or the nurturing or the compassion or the care that we would have wanted you to have gained or had from a father. 

Now, the people in your life who might be giving you love or nurturing in the present day, their love is shaped like a circle, so it is love or nurturing or care, and it feels good, but we can't take it and try to shove it into this father shaped space, because when we do that, two things happen. 

First, you actually feel unfulfilled, and second, you miss out on the love you're actually receiving. 

So at the end of the day, it's about allowing the desire to be loved to be fulfilled in other ways, instead of trying to replace the love or whatever it might be, nurturing, compassion, understanding that was missed, even protection. 

So the next step then is to make our peace with the space. It is just a space. 

Here's the spot where the dad's love, the mother's compassion, the sisters support was supposed to be.

So it's about letting the space be there. And this doesn't mean we have to like it, and that we won't be sad sometimes because of the space, but there's actually nothing bad or wrong with it being there. 

For example, one of my clients had a father shaped space, a space in which he didn't receive any nurturing from his father, and in his relationship with his girlfriend, he was constantly making her responsible for replacing that nurturing. And so he was on the watch all the time for any signs that she wasn't being nurturing, and that would cause a big trigger, because she was responsible for that, and if she was anything less than that, that was a problem.

And then, of course, it was exhausting, because no matter how much nurturing she would give to him, it was never going to be enough to fill that space because it didn't fit; because she's not his father. 

So bottom line, we want to be really careful to not make other people in our lives responsible for filling the spaces that are there because of other people in our lives who abdicated that responsibility or didn't show up, and instead, we want to focus on receiving what they are offering and taking at it as its own thing. 

So take some time and check and notice, is there any way that you're doing this in your life? Is there anyone you're making responsible to fill the space that you have you?

Want to learn more about healing the parent wound? Be sure to check out this upcoming summit!


To healing!

P.S. If you're ready to take the next step in healing from abuse and would like to explore enrolling in the Beyond Surviving program, start by applying for a Discover Your Genuine Self session.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Registration is officially OPEN for Healing the Parent Wound!

This online event was created to help you heal from the impact of your mother or father wound so you can create the authentic life you deserve and desire.

The retreat begins September 10 and it’s going to be 3 days of transformative teaching that you won’t want to miss.

Learn More & Register Here

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in partnership with CPTSD Foundation

September 9th

SHAME

As survivors of childhood abuse, one of the most persistent and pervasive feelings we experience is shame. It affects our sense of self, our inner emotional lives, our relationships, and more. 

Learn More & Register Here

Cultivate Both Calm and Success By Using These Stress-Free Self-Improvement Methods

 

Photo via Pexels

 

Embarking on a journey of personal development offers the dual promise of enhancing one's skills and broadening horizons. However, this path requires careful navigation to avoid the pitfalls of burnout that can derail progress. By adopting mindful and strategic approaches, one can foster sustainable growth and resilience. This guide, presented by Rachel Grant Coaching, provides key principles to help maintain your well-being while pursuing your developmental aspirations.

Start with Clear, Manageable Steps

Setting realistic and clear objectives is crucial in achieving your personal development goals. Big dreams are important, but breaking them down into manageable steps prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and allows you to celebrate small achievements. For example, if learning a new language is your goal, start with basic phrases before advancing to full conversations. This structured approach helps make each step achievable and keeps motivation levels high.

Cultivate Mindfulness to Stay Grounded

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can dramatically improve your focus and reduce stress, aiding your personal development. Practices such as meditation and deep breathing exercises not only help in reducing anxiety but also enhance your ability to remain present and focused amidst challenges. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, a few minutes of mindfulness can reset your mental state and sharpen your focus, preparing you to tackle your goals with a calm mindset.

Balance Your Schedule for Optimal Productivity

Maintaining a balanced schedule is essential for personal growth and avoiding burnout. Designate time blocks for work, development activities, leisure, and rest to ensure a healthy balance that sustains your energy and productivity. For instance, integrate personal development into your weekly schedule to make it a routine part of your life, rather than an additional burden. This approach not only boosts productivity but also helps you stay energized and committed to your goals.

The Advantages of Online Learning

Pursuing an online degree can significantly enhance your educational and professional trajectory due to its inherent flexibility and accessibility. The option to study remotely allows you to integrate learning seamlessly into your daily life, fostering improved time management and self-discipline. You may consider this path especially rewarding in fields like nursing, where obtaining a master’s degree online can open doors to specialized roles such as nurse educator, informatics specialist, administrator, or advanced practice nurse.

Adaptability as a Key to Sustained Growth

Being adaptable is vital when pursuing personal development, as unexpected challenges can arise. Embrace flexibility in your plans to accommodate these changes without derailing your progress. If setbacks occur, instead of giving up, reassess and adjust your plans accordingly. For example, if a missed deadline disrupts your schedule, extend your timeline or modify your objectives to better suit your current circumstances, keeping your growth journey on track.

Make Self-Care a Non-Negotiable Priority

Prioritizing self-care is crucial to maintaining the energy needed to achieve your personal development goals. Ensure you're getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and taking time to relax. These basic needs are often overlooked in the pursuit of personal growth but are foundational to sustained success. When your body and mind are well-nourished and rested, you’re better equipped to tackle challenges and stay focused on your goals.

Keep Your Journey Enjoyable

Finding pleasure in your personal development activities is crucial for maintaining motivation over the long haul. Opt for pursuits that capture your genuine interest, ensuring that your self-improvement efforts are both stimulating and enjoyable. Engage in activities like acquiring a new skill, delving into subjects that intrigue you, or embracing a hobby that sparks joy. If your personal development tasks begin to feel burdensome, consider this a signal to revitalize your approach with options that bring excitement and fulfillment.

Achieving personal development goals is a rewarding yet demanding process that necessitates a balanced approach to sustain both enthusiasm and health. As you strive for growth, remember that the journey is as important as the destination. Implementing practices that prevent overload and promote well-being is crucial for long-term success.